Brexit might trigger EPA revision

Jeffers.PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Jeffers.PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The recent vote for the United Kingdom (UK) to leave the European Union (EU) might lead to the renegotiation of the recently signed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Economic experts believe that by breaking away from the EU, the UK would cease to be party to any of the EU’s trade agreements including the EPA.

The EU and Botswana are important trading partners. Available data from Statistics Botswana shows that in December 2010, the country’s total exports were valued at P1.8 billion and almost half of them, P910 million, went to the EU.

The UK has been the largest import partner of Botswana, importing goods and services valued at more than P820 million. For December 2010, almost 45% of Botswana’s exports went to the UK.

Editor's Comment
Botswana at a critical juncture

While the political shift brings hope for change, it also places immense pressure on the new administration to deliver on its election promises in the face of serious economic challenges.On another level, newly appointed Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe’s grim assessment of the country’s finances adds urgency to the moment. The budget deficit, expected to be P8.7 billion, is now anticipated to be even higher due to underperforming diamond...

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